Speedometer and odometer assembly

ABSTRACT

The following specification describes a speedometer having a worm gear on the field cup of the magnet driving the speed cup for simultaneously driving an odometer. In addition, the speedometer is provided with a one piece stamped U-shaped bracket for supporting the odometer and cross shaft transmitting movement from the field cup to the odometer with a tubular element fixed to the bracket for rotatably supporting the magnet shaft and cooperating with the bracket to prevent axial separation of the magnet shaft. The odometer dial brackets are positioned to form stops for the speed cup.

United tatesPatent [191 Powell [111 3,768,315 51 Oct. 30, 1973 SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Patrick'L. Powell, Franklin Park, 111.

[73] Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111.

22 Filed: May 30,1972

211 Appl. No.: 257,706

Related [1.8. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 114,193, Feb. 10, 1971, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 73/490, 73/519 [51] Int. Cl. G01p 3/49 [58] Field Of Search 73/490 R, 519, 520

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,163 6/1936 Helgbyt, 73/490 X Helgeby 73/519 Davey 73/519 Primary Examiner-James J. Gill Attorney-Augustus G. Douvas et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The following specification describes a speedometer having a worm gear on the field cup of the magnet driving the speed cup for simultaneously driving an odometer. in addition, the speedometer is provided with a one piece stamped U-shaped bracket for supporting the odometer and cross shaft transmitting movement from the field cup to the odometer with a tubular element fixed to the bracket for rotatably sup porting the magnet shaft and cooperating with the bracket to prevent axial separation of the magnet shaft. The odometer dial brackets are positioned to form stops for the speed cup.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIEUUBI30 ma 3,768,315

sum ear 2 fillllli IMP SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER ASSEMBLY This application is a division of application Ser. No.

114,193, filed Feb. 10, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3 ,693 ,459 and therefore:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .1. Field of the Invention The invention relates in general to a combined speedometer and odometer and more particularly to an improved and more economical combined bicycle speedometer and odometer assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art The usual arrangement in a combined speedometer and odometer assembly is to provide a gear on the magnet shaft for transmitting power from the magnet shaft through a pair of serially arranged cross shafts, each having a pair of gears, to a gear driving the odometer. In addition, the main or frame bracket for supporting the shafts is usually a U-shaped cast piece having an integral cast boss projecting rearwardly from the rear leg of the bracket to which the ferrule of the flexible shaft casing is secured. A bronze collar is required to be press fit in the boss for rotatably securing the magnet shaft driven by the flexible shaft in the casing and additional tabs are required to provide bearing supports for the cross shafts and stops for the speed cup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I By forming gear teeth on the magnet shaft field cup, the gear teeth are generally aligned tangentially adjacent the radial plane of the odometer drive gear, thereby enabling a single cross shaft to transmit power from the magnet shaft to the odometer.

The frame bracket is formed of a U-shaped economical lightweight stamping with an enlarged opening in the rear leg to enable the magnet shaft having the field cup and magnet at one end to be inserted therethrough. One edge portion of the opening thereafter is engaged with a groove in the magnet shaft to prevent axial shaft displacement and the head of a tubular element having a larger diameter than the opening is then fitted over the rearwardly projecting portion of the magnet shaft and secured to the bracket rear leg to prevent radial movement of the magnet shaft for disengaging from the hole edge portion and for rotatably supporting the mag net shaft. The tubular element also enables the casing ferrule to be secured to the rear leg of the frame bracket. Additionally, tabs or tangs on the frame bracket rotatably support the cross shaft and locate the speedometer in the housing while the side bracket legs support the odometer with the odometer brackets providing stops for the limiting rotation of the speed cup and pointer shaft.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent on examination of the following specification and claims together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevational view of a bicycle speedometer and odometer housing assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the speedometer and odometer housing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the speedometer portion of the assembly with the odometer shown in side elevation together with a portion of the housing assembly shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the speedometer and odometer assembly with the housing assembly omitted;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 66 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. '7 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the rear bracket leg and tubular element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT plurality of axially arranged dials 24 of an odometer 26 having indicia marked thereon to indicate distance traveled, are seen through the plate 16 and an opening in the dial plate 20.

The odometer 26 may be of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,432,096 or a conventional odometer that includes in addition to the dials 24,. a shaft 28 rotatably supporting the dials 26 and a gear 30 adjacent one end of the shaft, together with bracket 32 between each pair of dials. Each bracket 32 rotatably supportsa pinion (not'shown) between each pair of dials to incrementally advance each higher order dial for each complete revolution of the adjacent lower order dial and the gear 30. The ends of the shaft 28 are supported in appropriate openings formed in side legs 34 of a U- shaped stamped frame bracket 36. A tang or tab 38 depending from the rear leg 40 of the frame bracket engages the lower ear 42 of each pair of ears on each bracket 32, as seen in FIG. 3, to prevent rotation of the respective bracket.

The pointer 22 is fixed to one end of a pointer shaft 44 passing through a bearing 46 located in a plate "48;

. will be noted from the drawings is perpendicular to the axis of the odometer dials and gear. The pointer shaft 44 has fixed thereto adjacent said other end an eddy or speed cup 58. The speed cup 58 is cup-shaped having a back wall 60 and a rim wall 62. An adjustably bent tab 64 is formed on wall60 for coacting with respective odometer bracket ears 42a and 42b, seen best in FIG. 6, to stop the pointer shaft and pointer at respective 1 limit zero and maximum speed positions.

v bar magnet 73, which is axially held by staking the adjacent magnet shaft end. A plurality of spaced tabs or tangs 74 formed on the back wall 70 of the field cup engage the elongate or radially extending sides of the bar magnet to prevent relative rotation between the field cup 68 and magnet shaft 56 when the field cup is placed under load by rotation of the magnet shaft for driving the odometer dials.

The magnet shaft 56 passes through a large diameter passageway or opening 76 in rear leg 40 of the frame bracket 36 and has a groove 78 for engaging an edge of a smaller diameter portion of opening 76. Thus, the magnet shaft 56 on assembly to bracket 36 is passed rearwardly with the magnet and field cup attached through the opening 76. When groove 78 is aligned with rear leg 40, the shaft is moved radially to engage groove 78 with a partially circular edge portion of opening 78 having a diameter closely approaching the minimum groove diameter but extending less than 180 to enable a large engagement area therebetween with the edge portion holding the magnet shaft against axial movement. A tubular element 80 having external threads 82 and a bore 82 for rotatably supporting the magnet shaft 56 is engaged with the rearwardly projecting portion of shaft 56. A head 86 larger than the diameter of opening 76 and bridging opposite edge portions of opening 76 is integrally formed on the one end of tubular element 80 and secured in abutment with rear leg 40 to prevent radial movement of shaft 56 and disengag'ement thereof from the edge portion of opening 76. A pair of spaced lugs 87 on the head 86 engage in respective openings in the rear leg 40 to circumferentially locate the head 86.

The head 86 including the tubular element 80 are secured to leg 40 by a pair of diametrically opposed tabs 88 on leg 40 bent over flat sides of head 86 and located in flat sided grooves 90 in the head to lock the head against rotation. Since the radial position of the magnet shaft 56 relative opening 76 is held by the tubular element 80, the shaft 56 is securely fixed against any axial movement by the edge portion of opening 76 engaging groove 78. The magnet shaft 56, magnet 73 and field cup 68 are rotated by the flexible shaft noncircular end inserted in the conventional noncircular magnet shaft opening 91. The rotation of the magnet and field cup drives the speed cup 58, pointer shaft 44 and pointer 22 to a position corresponding to the vehicle or bicycle speed. The casing of the flexible shaft is secured to the tubular element 80 by means of the conventional nut engaged with the threads 82.

It will be noted the peripheral surface of the field cup rim wall 66 is provided with a worm gear 92. The worm gear 92 thus conveniently rotates through a tangential position generally adjacent a plane common to the odometer drive gear 34 for engagement with the teeth of a helical gear 94 formed on a shaft 96 whose axis is in or adjacent the radial plane. The shaft 96 is rotatably supported by a tab 98 integrally formed on the rear leg 40 and a slot in the integrally formed tab 38 of the frame plate. A worm wheel 100 formed on shaft 96 spaced from gear 94 and lying in the radial plane of gear 30 engages the odometer drive gear 30 to drive the odometer dials 24 through a distance corresponding to each revolution of the magnet shaft 56 and field cup 68.

A pair of additional tabs or tangs 102 are formed on rear leg 40 of bracket 36 and these tabs together with element 80 inserted through appropriately spaced openings in the rear wall 104 of the housing 14 to prevent rotation of the speedometer and odometer assembly 12 relative the housing 14. A nut 106 threaded on the threads 82 tubular element 80 secures the speedometer and odometer assembly 12 against axial movement relative housing 14, whereafter, housing is assembled to the vehicle or bicycle on which it is used and the flexible shaft casing ferrule nut threaded on element 80.

As previously explained the end of a flexible shaft (not shown) is inserted in the opening 91 with the flexible shaft being rotated by a bicycle wheel, for example. The shaft casing is secured to the tubular element 80 by means of threads 82 and on rotation of the flexible shaft, the magnet shaft 56 is rotated. The magnet shaft 56 on rotating transfers power through the eddy cup means including the magnet 73, the field cup 68 and the speed cup to drive the speed cup 60 and pointer 22 to a circumferential position corresponding to the speed and against the bias of the regulator assembly spring. in moving from the zero or normal position, the speed cup tang is disengaged from the bracket ear 42a, whereafter, it will limit rotation of the pointer shaft to a second predetermined position on engagement with the adjacent bracket ear 42b so that at least 270 of travel is permitted.

In the meantime rotation of the field cup causes worm gear 92 to drive the helical gear 94 which is generally tangentially engaged with gear 92. Gear 94 in turn drives the worm gear 100 and gear 30 to advance the dials 24 for indicating the distance traveled.

The foregoing is a description of an improved speedometer and odometer assembly particularly adapted for use on a bicycle and whose inventive concepts are believed to have been set forth and typified by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A magnet shaft assembly for driving a speed cup fixed to a pointer shaft comprising a U-shaped frame bracket having a back leg in which a passageway is formed, a magnet shaft passing through said passageway, a field cup fixed to said magnet shaft adjacent one end of said magnet shaft and having a rim wall for overlapping the rim wall of said speed cup, a magnet fixed to said shaft between said one end and the back wall of said field cup, said magnet shaft having a groove intermediate said'field cup back wall and the other end of said magnet shaft for receiving an edge portion of said rear leg passageway to limit axial movement of said magnet shaft, a tubular element having a bore for rotatably supporting said magnet shaft, a headed portion at one end of said tubular element bridging said passageway for engaging against one surface of said back leg, and a pair of spaced tangs formed on said back leg for overlapping engagement with said headed portion to secure said headed portion to said rear leg and against rotation whereby said magnet shaft groove is prevented from disengaging from said passageway edge portion.

and one side of said frame bracket, separable means for rotatably supporting said magnet shaft and bridging said passageway on the side of said bracket opposite said field cup and magnet, and means securing said separable means to said bracket for preventing radial movement of said magnet shaft and disengagement of said magnet shaft groove from said edge portion.

3. The shaft assembly claimed in claim 2 in which said separable means comprises a tubular element having a headed portion at one end in engagement with said bracket and bridging said passageway with said headed portion having a pair of flat surfaces extending axially of said magnet shaft each aligned with a respective flat sided recess, and said securing means comprises a pair of spaced tangs integrally formed on said bracket for overlapping engagement with a respective flat surface and engaged in a respective recess to secure said headed portion to said bracket and against rotation.

4. In the shaft assembly claimed in claim 2, a housing having a plurality of spaced openings with one of said openings receiving said separable means, a plurality of tangs integrally formed on said bracket and passing through respective ones of said openings to prevent relative rotation between said bracket and housing, and means for securing said separable means against axial movement relative said openings.

5. A combination comprising an odometer having a plurality of axially arranged dials adapted to be incrementally advanced by an axially aligned gear, a bracket between each pair of dials for rotatably supporting a motion transferring pinion, a U-shaped frame bracket, means for supporting said odometer dials and gear between the side legs of said frame and spaced from the rear leg of said bracket with said gear located adjacent one of said side legs, a magnet shaft, a field cup fixed to said shaft adjacent said one end and having a rim wall extending axially toward said one end, a magnet fixed to said shaft between said one end and the back wall of said cup, a pointer shaft having a speed cup fixed thereto, means including said magnet shaft for rotatably supporting said pointer shaft and speed cup for rotatable movement in response to rotation of said magnet and field cup with the rim wall of said speed cup located between the rim wall of said field cup and the ends of said magnet, and a stop integrally formed on the back wall of said speed cup for engagement with respective ones of said odometer brackets to limit rotation of said speed cup and pointer shaft in opposite directions. 

1. A magnet shaft assembly for driving a speed cup fixed to a pointer shaft comprising a U-shaped frame bracket having a back leg in which a passageway is formed, a magnet shaft passing through said passageway, a field cup fixed to said magnet shaft adjacent one end of said magnet shaft and having a rim wall for overlapping the rim wall of said speed cup, a magnet fixed to said shaft between said one end and the back wall of said field cup, said magnet shaft having a groove intermediate said field cup back wall and the other end of said magnet shaft for receiving an edge portion of said rear leg passageway to limit axial movement of said magnet shaft, a tubular element having a bore for rotatably supporting said magnet shaft, a headed portion at one end of said tubular element bridging said passageway for engaging against one surface of said back leg, and a pair of spaced tangs formed on said back leg for overlapping engagement with said headed portion to secure said headed portion to said rear leg and against rotation whereby said magnet shaft groove is prevented from disengaging from said passageway edge portion.
 2. A magnet shaft assembly for driving a speed cup fixed to a pointer chaft comprising, a frame bracket having a passageway therein, a magnet shaft adapted to pass through said passageway and having a surface groove intermediate the ends thereof for receiving an edge portion of said passageway to limit axial movement of said magnet shaft, a magnet fixed to said magnet shaft, a field cup fixed to said magnet shaft adjacent one end of said magnet shaft and between said magnet and one side of said frame bracket, separable means for rotatably supporting said magnet shaft and bridging said passageway on the side of said bracket opposite said field cup and magnet, and means securing said separable means to said bracket for preventing radial movement of said magnet shaft and disengagement of said magnet shaft groove from said edge portion.
 3. The shaft assembly claimed in claim 2 in which said separable means comprises a tubular element having a headed portion at one end in engagement with said bracket and bridging said passageway with said headed portion having a pair of flat surfaces extending axially of said magnet shaft each aligned with a respective flat sided recess, and said securing means comprises a pair of spaced tangs integrally formed on said bracket for overlapping engagement with a respective flat surface and engaged in a respective recess to secure said headed portion to said bracket and against rotation.
 4. In the shaft assembly claimed in claim 2, a housing having a plurality of spaced openings with one of said openings receiving said separable means, a plurality of tangs integrally formed on said bracket and passing through respective ones of said openings to prevent relative rotation between said bracket and housing, and means for securing said separable means against axial movement relative said openings.
 5. A combination comprising an odometer having a plurality of axially arranged dials adapteD to be incrementally advanced by an axially aligned gear, a bracket between each pair of dials for rotatably supporting a motion transferring pinion, a U-shaped frame bracket, means for supporting said odometer dials and gear between the side legs of said frame and spaced from the rear leg of said bracket with said gear located adjacent one of said side legs, a magnet shaft, a field cup fixed to said shaft adjacent said one end and having a rim wall extending axially toward said one end, a magnet fixed to said shaft between said one end and the back wall of said cup, a pointer shaft having a speed cup fixed thereto, means including said magnet shaft for rotatably supporting said pointer shaft and speed cup for rotatable movement in response to rotation of said magnet and field cup with the rim wall of said speed cup located between the rim wall of said field cup and the ends of said magnet, and a stop integrally formed on the back wall of said speed cup for engagement with respective ones of said odometer brackets to limit rotation of said speed cup and pointer shaft in opposite directions. 